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Evaluation of competition and light estimation indices for predicting diameter growth in mature boreal mixed forests

Évaluation de la compétition et indices d’éclairement pour la prédiction de la croissance radiale dans des forêts boréales mixtes adultes

Annals of Forest Science volume 64, pages 477–490 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

A series of conventional distance-independent and distance-dependent competition indices, a highly flexible distance-dependent crowding index, and two light resource estimation indices were compared to predict individual tree diameter growth of five species of mature trees from natural-origin boreal mixed forests. The crowding index was the superior index for most species and ecosites. However, distance-independent indices, such as basal area of competing trees, were also effective. Distance-dependent light estimation indices, which estimate the fraction of seasonal photosynthetically-active radiation available to each tree, ranked intermediate to low. Determining separate competition indices for each competitor species accounted for more variation than ignoring species or classifying by ecological groups. Species’ competitive ability ranked (most competitive to least): paper birch ≈ white spruce ≈> trembling aspen > lodgepole pine > balsam poplar. Stratification by ecosite further improved model performance. However, the overall impact of competition on mature trees in these forests appears to be small.

Résumé

Ce travail a évalué la capacité d’indices de compétition à prédire la croissance radiale individuelle d’arbres adultes de cinq espèces de forêts mixtes boréales. Ont ainsi été comparés : (1) une série d’indices conventionnels de compétition indépendants ou dépendants de la distance, (2) un indice très flexible d’encombrement dépendant de la distance et (3) deux indices d’estimation de l’éclairement. L’indice d’encombrement a été le plus efficace dans la plupart des stations et des espèces. Cependant, les indices indépendants de la distance tels que la surface terrière des arbres en compétition, ont été également efficaces. Les indices dépendants de la distance, d’estimation de l’éclairement, qui estiment la fraction saisonnière du rayonnement photosynthétiquement actif disponible pour chaque arbre, se sont classés en position intermédiaire. L’identification d’indices de compétition spécifiques de chaque espèce compétitrice a mieux rendu compte de la diversité des stations qu’un indice non spécifique ou qu’un classement des espèces par groupes écologiques. L’aptitude à la compétition des espèces a été classée de la manière suivante (de la plus à la moins compétitive) : Betula papyrifera, Picea glauca, Populus tremuloides, Pinus contorta, Populus balsamifera. La stratification par station améliore encore la performance du modèle. Cependant, l’impact général de la compétition sur les arbres adultes dans ces forêts semble être faible.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, General Services Building 751, T6G 2H1, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    Kenneth J. Stadt, Carolyn Huston, K. David Coates, Zhili Feng, Mark R. T. Dale & Victor J. Lieffers

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  1. Kenneth J. Stadt
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  2. Carolyn Huston
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  3. K. David Coates
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Correspondence to Kenneth J. Stadt.

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Stadt, K.J., Huston, C., Coates, K.D. et al. Evaluation of competition and light estimation indices for predicting diameter growth in mature boreal mixed forests. Ann. For. Sci. 64, 477–490 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1051/forest:2007025

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Annals of Forest Science

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